Motion refinement engine with a plurality of cost calculation methods for use in video encoding and methods for use therewith

ABSTRACT

A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion compensation module includes a motion search module, that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks based on a sum of accumulated differences (SAD) cost. A motion refinement module, when enabled, generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks and based on a sum of accumulated transform differences (SATD) cost. A mode decision module operates on either SAD costs or SATD costs, based on whether the refinement module is enabled or disabled.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present application is related to the following U.S. patentapplication that is contemporaneously filed and commonly assigned:

MOTION REFINEMENT ENGINE FOR USE IN VIDEO ENCODING IN ACCORDANCE WITH APLURALITY OF COMPRESSION STANDARDS AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, havingserial number, 11/602,936;

MOTION REFINEMENT ENGINE WITH SHARED MEMORY FOR USE IN VIDEO ENCODINGAND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, having serial number, 11/602,942;

MOTION REFINEMENT ENGINE WITH SELECTABLE PARTITIONINGS FOR USE IN VIDEOENCODING AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH, having serial number,11/602,768; the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein intheir entirety by reference thereto.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to encoding used in devices such as videoencoders/codecs.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Video encoding has become an important issue for modern video processingdevices. Robust encoding algorithms allow video signals to betransmitted with reduced bandwidth and stored in less memory. However,the accuracy of these encoding methods face the scrutiny of users thatare becoming accustomed to greater resolution and higher picturequality. Standards have been promulgated for many encoding methodsincluding the H.264 standard that is also referred to as MPEG-4, part 10or Advanced Video Coding, (AVC). While this standard sets forth manypowerful techniques, further improvements are possible to improve theperformance and speed of implementation of such methods.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthrough comparison of such systems with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 present pictorial diagram representations of a various videoprocessing devices in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 presents a block diagram representation of a video processingdevice 125 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 presents a block diagram representation of a video encoder 102that includes motion search module 204, motion refinement module 206 andmode decision module 212 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 presents a graphical representation of the relationship betweenexample top frame and bottom frame macroblocks (250, 252) and exampletop field and bottom field macroblocks (254, 256) in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 presents a graphical representation that shows example macroblockpartitioning in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 presents a graphical representation of a plurality of macroblocksof a video input signal that shows an example of the neighboringmacroblocks used in motion compensation or encoding of a particularmacroblock.

FIG. 9 presents a block diagram representation of a video encoder 102that includes motion refinement engine 175 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION INCLUDING THE PRESENTLY PREFERREDEMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-3 present pictorial diagram representations of a various videoprocessing devices in accordance with embodiments of the presentinvention. In particular, set top box 10 with built-in digital videorecorder functionality or a stand alone digital video recorder, computer20 and portable computer 30 illustrate electronic devices thatincorporate a video processing device 125 that includes one or morefeatures or functions of the present invention. While these particulardevices are illustrated, video processing device 125 includes any devicethat is capable of encoding video content in accordance with the methodsand systems described in conjunction with FIGS. 4-19 and the appendedclaims.

FIG. 4 presents a block diagram representation of a video processingdevice 125 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Inparticular, video processing device 125 includes a receiving module 100,such as a television receiver, cable television receiver, satellitebroadcast receiver, broadband modem, 3G transceiver or other informationreceiver or transceiver that is capable of receiving a received signal98 and extracting one or more video signals 110 via time divisiondemultiplexing, frequency division demultiplexing or otherdemultiplexing technique. Video encoding module 102 is coupled to thereceiving module 100 to encode or transcode the video signal in a formatcorresponding to video display device 104.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the received signal 98 is abroadcast video signal, such as a television signal, high definitiontelevisions signal, enhanced high definition television signal or otherbroadcast video signal that has been transmitted over a wireless medium,either directly or through one or more satellites or other relaystations or through a cable network, optical network or othertransmission network. In addition, received signal 98 can be generatedfrom a stored video file, played back from a recording medium such as amagnetic tape, magnetic disk or optical disk, and can include astreaming video signal that is transmitted over a public or privatenetwork such as a local area network, wide area network, metropolitanarea network or the Internet.

Video signal 110 can include an analog video signal that is formatted inany of a number of video formats including National Television SystemsCommittee (NTSC), Phase Alternating Line (PAL) or Sequential CouleurAvec Memoire (SECAM). Processed video signal includes 112 a digitalvideo codec standard such as H.264, MPEG-4 Part 10 Advanced Video Coding(AVC) or other digital format such as a Motion Picture Experts Group(MPEG) format (such as MPEG1, MPEG2 or MPEG4), Quicktime format, RealMedia format, Windows Media Video (WMV) or Audio Video Interleave (AVI),or another digital video format, either standard or proprietary.

Video display devices 104 can include a television, monitor, computer,handheld device or other video display device that creates an opticalimage stream either directly or indirectly, such as by projection, basedon decoding the processed video signal 112 either as a streaming videosignal or by playback of a stored digital video file.

Video encoder 102 includes a motion compensation module 150 thatoperates in accordance with the present invention and, in particular,includes many optional functions and features described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 5-19 that follow.

FIG. 5 presents a block diagram representation of a video encoder 102that includes motion search module 204, motion refinement module 206 andmode decision module 212 in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. In particular, video encoder 102 operates in accordance withmany of the functions and features of the H.264 standard, the MPEG-4standard, VC-1 (SMPTE standard 421M) or other standard, to encode avideo input signal 110 that is converted to a digital format via asignal interface 198.

The video encoder 102 includes a processing module 200 that can beimplemented using a single processing device or a plurality ofprocessing devices. Such a processing device may be a microprocessor,co-processors, a micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions that arestored in a memory, such as memory module 202. Memory module 202 may bea single memory device or a plurality of memory devices. Such a memorydevice can include a hard disk drive or other disk drive, read-onlymemory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory,static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or anydevice that stores digital information. Note that when the processingmodule implements one or more of its functions via a state machine,analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memorystoring the corresponding operational instructions may be embeddedwithin, or external to, the circuitry comprising the state machine,analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

Processing module 200, and memory module 202 are coupled, via bus 220,to the signal interface 198 and a plurality of other modules, such asmotion search module 204, motion refinement module 206, direct modemodule 208, intra-prediction module 210, mode decision module 212,reconstruction module 214, entropy coding module 216, neighbormanagement module 218, forward transform and quantization module 220 anddeblocking filter module 222. The modules of video encoder 102 can beimplemented in software, firmware or hardware, depending on theparticular implementation of processing module 200. It should also benoted that the software implementations of the present invention can bestored on a tangible storage medium such as a magnetic or optical disk,read-only memory or random access memory and also be produced as anarticle of manufacture. While a particular bus architecture is shown,alternative architectures using direct connectivity between one or moremodules and/or additional busses can likewise be implemented inaccordance with the present invention.

Motion compensation module 150 includes a motion search module 204 thatprocesses pictures from the video input signal 110 based on asegmentation into macroblocks of pixel values, such as of 16 pixels by16 pixels size, from the columns and rows of a frame and/or field of thevideo input signal 110. In an embodiment of the present invention, themotion search module determines, for each macroblock or macroblock pairof a field and/or frame of the video signal one or more motion vectors(depending on the partitioning of the macroblock into subblocks asdescribed further in conjunction with FIG. 7) that represents thedisplacement of the macroblock (or subblock) from a reference frame orreference field of the video signal to a current frame or field. Inoperation, the motion search module operates within a search range tolocate a macroblock (or subblock) in the current frame or field to aninteger pixel level accuracy such as to a resolution of 1-pixel.Candidate locations are evaluated based on a cost formulation todetermine the location and corresponding motion vector that have a mostfavorable (such as lowest) cost.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a cost formulation is basedon the sum of the Sum of Absolute Difference (SAD) between the referencemacroblock and candidate macroblock pixel values and a weighted rateterm that represents the number of bits required to be spent on codingthe difference between the candidate motion vector and either apredicted motion vector (PMV) that is based on the neighboringmacroblock to the right of the current macroblock and on motion vectorsfrom neighboring current macroblocks of a prior row of the video inputsignal or an estimated predicted motion vector that is determined basedon motion vectors from neighboring current macroblocks of a prior row ofthe video input signal. In addition, the cost calculation avoids the useof neighboring subblocks within the current macroblock. In this fashion,motion search module 204 is able to operate on a macroblock tocontemporaneously determine the motion search motion vector for eachsubblock of the macroblock.

A motion refinement module 206 generates a refined motion vector foreach macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motionsearch motion vector. In an embodiment of the present invention, themotion refinement module determines, for each macroblock or macroblockpair of a field and/or frame of the video input signal 1 10, a refinedmotion vector that represents the displacement of the macroblock from areference frame or reference field of the video signal to a currentframe or field. In operation, the motion refinement module refines thelocation of the macroblock in the current frame or field to a greaterpixel level accuracy such as to a resolution of ¼-pixel. Candidatelocations are also evaluated based on a cost formulation to determinethe location and refined motion vector that have a most favorable (suchas lowest) cost. As in the case with the motion search module, a costformulation is based on the a sum of the Sum of Absolute Difference(SAD) between the reference macroblock and candidate macroblock pixelvalues and a weighted rate term that represents the number of bitsrequired to be spent on coding the difference between the candidatemotion vector and either a predicted motion vector (PMV) that is basedon the neighboring macroblock to the right of the current macroblock andon motion vectors from neighboring current macroblocks of a prior row ofthe video input signal or an estimated predicted motion vector that isdetermined based on motion vectors from neighboring current macroblocksof a prior row of the video input signal. In addition, the costcalculation avoids the use of neighboring subblocks within the currentmacroblock. In this fashion, motion refinement module 206 is able tooperate on a macroblock to contemporaneously determine the motion searchmotion vector for each subblock of the macroblock.

In addition motion search module 202 or motion refinement module 204 isoperable to determine a skip mode cost of the P Slices of video inputsignal 110 by evaluating a cost associated with a stationary motionvector, and by skipping portions of motion search and/or motionrefinement if the skip mode cost compares favorably to a skip modethreshold.

It should be noted that when estimated predicted motion vectors areused, the cost formulation avoids the use of motion vectors from thecurrent row and both the motion search module 204 and the motionrefinement module 206 can operate in a pipelined fashion and in parallelon an entire row of video input signal 110, to contemporaneouslydetermine the refined motion vector for each macroblock in the row.

A direct mode module 208 generates a direct mode motion vector for eachmacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on a plurality ofmacroblocks that neighbor the macroblock of pixels. In an embodiment ofthe present invention, the direct mode module 208 operates to determinethe direct mode motion vector and the cost associated with the directmode motion vector based on the cost for the direct mode motion vectorsfor the B slices of video input signal 110, such as in a fashion definedby the H.264 standard.

While the prior modules have focused on inter-prediction of the motionvector, intra-prediction module 210 generates a best intra predictionmode for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. In particular,intra-prediction module 210 operates in a fashion such as defined by theH.264 standard to evaluate a plurality of intra prediction modes, basedon motion vectors determined from neighboring macroblocks to determinethe best intra prediction mode and the associated cost.

A mode decision module 212 determines a final motion vector for eachmacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks based on costs associatedwith the refined motion vector, the direct mode motion vector, and thebest intra prediction mode, and in particular, the method that yieldsthe most favorable (lowest) cost, or otherwise an acceptable cost. Areconstruction module 214 completes the motion compensation bygenerating residual luma and/or chroma pixel values corresponding to thefinal motion vector for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.

A forward transform and quantization module 220 of video encoder 102generates processed video signal 112 by transforming coding andquantizing the residual pixel values into quantized transformedcoefficients that can be further coded, such as by entropy coding inentropy coding module 216, filtered by de-blocking filter module 222 andtransmitted and/or stored as the processed video signal 112.

As discussed above, many of the modules of motion compensation module150 operate based on motion vectors determined for neighboringmacroblocks. Neighbor management module 218 generates and storesneighbor data for at least one macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks for retrieval by at least one of the motion search module204, the motion refinement module 206, the direct mode module 208,intra-prediction module 210, entropy coding module 216 and deblockingfilter module 222, when operating on at least one neighboring macroblockof the plurality of macroblocks. As the motion vector (or the pluralityof motion vectors in the case of macroblock partitioning, discussedfurther in conjunction with FIGS. 7 and 8) and the other encoding dataare finalized, neighboring data is stored for use in the processing ofneighboring macroblocks that have yet to be processed, yet that willrequire the use of such data. In addition, neighboring data is alsostored for the processing of future pictures, such as future framesand/or fields of video input signal 110.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a data structure, such as alinked list, array or one or more registers are used to associate andstore neighbor data for each macroblock. Neighbor data includes motionvectors, reference indices, quantization parameters, coded-blockpatterns, macroblock types, intra/inter prediction module typesneighboring pixel values and or other data from neighboring macroblocksand/or subblocks used to by one or more of the modules or procedures ofthe present invention to calculate results for a current macroblock. Forexample, in order to determine the predicated motion vector for themotion search module 204 and motion refinement module 206, both themotion vectors and reference index of neighbors are required. Inaddition to these data, the direct mode module 208 requires the motionvectors of the co-located macroblock of previous reference pictures. Thedeblocking filter module 222 operates according to a set of filteringstrengths determined by using the neighbors' motion vectors,quantization parameters, reference index, and coded-block-patterns, etc.For entropy coding in entropy coding module 216, the motion vectordifferences (MVD), macroblock types, quantization parameter delta, interpredication type, etc. are required.

Consider the example where a particular macroblock MB(x,y) requiresneighbor data from macroblocks MB(x−1, y−1), MB(x, y−1), MB (x+1, y−1)and MB(x−1, y). In prior art codecs, the preparation of the neighbordata needs to calculate the location of the relevant neighborsub-blocks. However, the calculation is not as straightforward as it wasin conventional video coding standards. For example, in H.264 coding,the support of multiple partition types make the size and shape for thesubblocks vary significantly. Furthermore, the support of the macroblockadaptive frame and field (MBAFF) coding allows the macroblocks to beeither in frame or in field mode. For each mode, one neighbor derivationmethod is defined in H.264. So the calculation needs to consider eachmode accordingly. In addition, in order to get all of the neighbor datarequired, the derivation needs to be invoked four times since there arefour neighbors involved—MB(x−1, y−1), MB(x, y−1), MB(x+1, y−1), andMB(x−1, y). So the encoding of the current macroblock MB(x, y) cannotstart not until the location of the four neighbors has been determinedand their data have been fetched from memory.

The present invention avoids the above problems. In particular when eachmacroblock is processed and final motion vectors and encoded data aredetermined, neighbor data is stored in data structures for eachneighboring macroblock that will need this data. Since the neighbor datais prepared in advance, the current macroblock MB(x,y) can start rightaway when it is ready to be processed. The burden of pinpointingneighbors is virtually re-allocated to its preceding macroblocks. Theencoding of macroblocks can be therefore be more streamline and faster.In other words, when the final motion vectors are determined for MB(x−1,y−1), neighbor data is stored for each neighboring macroblock that isyet to be processed, including MB(x,y) and also other neighboringmacroblocks such as MB(x, y−1), MB(x-2, y) MB(x−1, y). Similarly, whenthe final motion vectors are determined for MB(x, y−1), MB (x+1, y−1)and MB(x−1, y) neighbor data is stored for each neighboring macroblockcorresponding to each of these macroblocks that are yet to be processed,including MB(x,y). In this fashion, when MB(x,y) is ready to beprocessed, the neighbor data is already stored in a data structure thatcorresponds to this macroblock for fast retrieval.

The motion compensation can then proceed using the retrieved data. Inparticular, the motion search module 204 and/or the motion refinementmodule, can generate at least one predicted motion vector (such as astandard PMV or estimated predicted motion vector) for each macroblockof the plurality of macroblocks using retrieved neighbor data. Further,the direct mode module 208 can generate at least one direct mode motionvector for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks usingretrieved neighbor data and the intra-prediction module 210 cangenerates the best intra prediction mode for each macroblock of theplurality of macroblocks using retrieved neighbor data, and the codingmodule 216 can use retrieved neighbor data in entropy coding, each asset forth in the H.264 standard, the MPEG-4 standard, VC-1 (SMPTEstandard 421M) or by other standard or other means.

While not expressly shown, video encoder 102 can include a memory cache,a memory management module, a comb filter or other video filter, and/orother module to support the encoding of video input signal 110 intoprocessed video signal 112.

FIG. 6 presents a graphical representation of the relationship betweenexample top frame and bottom frame macroblocks (250, 252) and exampletop field and bottom field macroblocks (254, 256) in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, motion searchmodule 204 generates a motion search motion vector for each macroblockof a plurality of macroblocks by contemporaneously evaluating amacroblock pair that includes a top frame macroblock 250 and bottomframe macroblock 252 from a frame of the video input signal 110 and atop field macroblock 254 and a bottom field macroblock 256 fromcorresponding fields of the video input signal 110.

Considering the example shown, each of the macroblocks are 16 pixels by16 pixels in size. Motion search is performed in full pixel resolution,or other resolution, either coarser or finer, by comparing a candidateframe macroblock pair of a current frame that includes top framemacroblock 250 and bottom frame macroblock 252 to the macroblock pair ofa reference frame. In addition, lines of a first parity (such as oddlines) from the candidate frame macroblock pair are grouped to form topfield macroblock 254. Similarly, lines of a second parity (such as evenlines) from the candidate frame macroblock pair are grouped to formbottom field macroblock 256. Motion search module 204 calculates a costassociated a plurality of lines, and generates a cost associated withthe top frame macroblock 250 based on a cost accumulated for a pluralityof top lines of the plurality of lines, generates a cost associated withthe bottom frame macroblock 252 based on a cost accumulated for aplurality of bottom lines of the plurality of lines, generates a costassociated with the top field macroblock 254 based on a cost accumulatedfor a plurality of first-parity lines of the plurality of lines comparedwith either a top or bottom field reference, and generates a costassociated with the bottom field macroblock 256 based on a costaccumulated for a plurality of second-parity lines of the plurality oflines, also based on either a top or bottom field reference. In thisfashion, six costs can be generated contemporaneously for the macroblockpair: top frame compared with top frame of the reference; bottom framecompared with the bottom frame of the reference; top field compared withtop field of the reference; bottom field compared with the bottom fieldof the reference; top field compared with bottom field of the reference;and bottom field compared with the top field of the reference.

Each of these costs can be generated based on the sum of the absolutedifferences (SAD) of the pixel values of the current frame or field withthe reference frame or field. The SADs can be calculatedcontemporaneously, in a single pass, based on the accumulation for eachline. The overall SAD for a particular macroblock (top or bottom, frameor field) can be determined by totaling the SADs for the lines that makeup that particular macroblock. Alternatively, the SADs can be calculatedin a single pass, based on the smaller segments such as 4×1 segmentsthat can be accumulated into subblocks, that in turn can be accumulatedinto overall macroblock totals. This alternative arrangementparticularly lends itself to motion search modules that operate based onthe partitioning of macroblocks into smaller subblocks, as will bediscussed further in conjunction with FIG. 7.

The motion search module 204 is particularly well adapted to operationin conjunction with macroblock adaptive frame and field processing.Frame mode costs for the current macroblock pair can be generated asdiscussed above. In addition, motion search module 204 optionallygenerates a field decision based on accumulated differences, such asSAD, between the current bottom field macroblock and a bottom fieldmacroblock reference, the current bottom field macroblock and a topfield macroblock reference, the current top field macroblock and thebottom field macroblock reference, and the current top field macroblockand the top field macroblock reference. The field decision includesdetermining which combination (top/top, bottom/bottom) or (top/bottom,bottom/top) yields a lower cost. Similarly, motion search module 204 canoptionally choose either frame mode or field mode for a particularmacroblock pair, based on whether the frame mode cost compares morefavorably (e.g. are lower) or less favorably (e.g. higher) to the fieldmode cost, based on the field mode decision. In addition, other modulesof motion compensation module 150 that operate on both frames and fieldcan operate can similarly operate.

In particular, the neighbor management module 218 generates neighbordata that includes frame below neighbor data for retrieval by aneighboring macroblock in a row below the at least one macroblock whenprocessing in frame mode and field below neighbor data for retrieval bythe neighboring macroblock in a row below the at least one macroblockwhen processing in field mode. In addition, the neighbor data includesframe right neighbor data for retrieval by a neighboring macroblock tothe right of the at least one macroblock when processing in field modeand field right neighbor data for retrieval by the neighboringmacroblock to the right of the at least one macroblock when processingin field mode. In this fashion, the motion search module and othermodules of motion compensation module 150 that operate using neighbordata and that can operate in either a frame or field mode can directlyaccess either the frame mode neighbor data for frame mode neighborsabove the macroblock of interest, the field mode neighbor data for fieldmode neighbors above the macroblock of interest, the frame mode neighbordata for the frame mode neighbor to the left of the macroblock ofinterest and/or the field mode neighbor data for the field mode neighborto the left of the macroblock of interest. As before, this informationis stored in the processing of the prior macroblocks, whether themacroblocks themselves were processed in frame or in field mode, and canbe accessed in the processing of the macroblock of interest by retrievaldirectly from memory and without a look-up table or further processing.

FIG. 7 presents a graphical representation of example partitionings of amacroblock of a video input signal into a plurality of subblocks. Inparticular, while the modules described in conjunction with FIG. 5 abovecan operate on macroblocks having a size such as 16 pixels×16 pixels,such as in accordance with the H.264 standard, macroblocks can bepartitioned into subblocks of smaller size, as small as 4 pixels on aside with the functions and features described in conjunction with themacroblocks applying to each subblock with individual pixel locationsindicated by dots. For example, motion search module 204 can generateseparate motion search motion vectors for each subblock of eachmacroblock, etc.

Macroblock 302 represents an example of partitioning into subblocks inaccordance with the H.264 standard. Macroblocks 300, 304 and 306represent examples of other possible partitioning into subblocks. Inparticular, macroblock 300 is a 16×16 macroblock that is partitionedinto an 8×16 subblock and two 8×8 subblocks. Macroblock 302 is a 16×16macroblock that is partitioned into three 8×8 subblocks and four 4×4subblocks. Macroblock 304 is a 16×16 macroblock that is partitioned intoan 8×16 subblock, an 8×8 subblock and two 4×8 subblocks. Macroblock 306is a 16×16 macroblock that is partitioned into an 8×8 subblock, three4×8 subblocks, two 8×4 subblocks, and two 4×4 subblocks. Thepartitioning of the macroblocks into smaller subblocks increases thecomplexity of the motion compensation by requiring various compensationmethods, such as the motion search to determine, not only the motionsearch motion vectors for each subblock, but the best motion vectorsover the set of all possible partitions of a particular macroblock. Theresult however can yield more accurate motion compensation and reducedcompression artifacts in the decoded video image.

FIG. 8 presents a graphical representation of a plurality of macroblocksof a video input signal that shows an example of the neighboringmacroblocks used in motion compensation or encoding of a particularmacroblock. Three macroblocks MB n−1, MB n and MB n+1 are show for threerows, row i−1, row i and row i+1 of a video input signal in either frameor field mode. The dots representing individual pixel locations havebeen omitted for clarity.

Consider for example, that video encoder 102 is operating on macroblockMB(n, i). Consider further, that the motion refinement module 206,motion search module 204, direct mode module 208, the intra-predictionmodule 210 and coding module 216 may need the final motion vectorsdetermined for 4×4 subblock D0 from MB(n−1, i−1), subblock B0 from MB(n,i−1), subblock C0 from MB(n+1, i−1), along with subblock A0 from MB(n−1,i). When MB(n−1, i−1) is processed, the motion vector for D0 is storedin a data structure associated with MB(n, i), along with the otherneighbor data for other neighbors such as MB(n, i−1), MB(n−2, i) andMB(n−1, i). When MB(n, i−1) is processed, the motion vector for B0 isstored in a data structure associated with MB(n, i) along with the otherneighbor data for other neighbors. When MB(n+1, i−1) is processed, themotion vector for C0 is stored in a data structure associated with MB(n,i ) along with the other neighbor data for other neighbors. And whenMB(n−1, i) is processed, the motion vector for D0 is stored in a datastructure associated with MB(n, i) along with the other neighbor datafor other neighbors. In this fashion, when MB (n, i) is processed, anyof the necessary neighbor data can be easily retrieved from the datastructure.

While the above discussion relates to the processing in either frame offield mode, as discussed in conjunction with FIG. 6, both frame andfield mode neighbor data can be stored for later retrieval, as needed,in the processing of neighboring macroblocks. Further, while the abovediscussion focuses on individual macroblocks, neighbor data based on theprocessing or macroblock pairs can also be stored, with, for instance,neighbor data used by the bottom macroblock that is derived from the topmacroblock within the macroblock pair being generated directly in theprocessing of the macroblock pair.

FIG. 9 presents a block diagram representation of a video encoder 102that includes motion refinement engine 175 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. In addition to modules referred toby common reference numerals that have been previously described, motionrefinement engine 175 includes a shared memory 205 that can beimplemented separately from, or part of, memory module 202. In addition,motion refinement engine 175 can be implemented in a special purposehardware configuration that has a very generic design capable ofhandling sub-pixel search using different reference pictures—eitherframe or field and either forward in time, backward in time or a blendbetween forward and backward. Motion refinement engine 175 can operatein a plurality of compression modes to support a plurality of differentcompression algorithms such as H.264, MPEG-4, VC-1, etc. in an optimizedand single framework. Reconstruction can be performed for chroma only,luma only or both chroma and luma.

For example, the capabilities these compression modes can include:

H.264:

-   -   1. Motion search and refinement on all large partitions into        subblocks of size (16×16), (16×8), (8×16) and (8×8) for        forward/backward and blended directions when MBAFF is ON. This        also includes field and frame MB types.    -   2. Motion search and refinement on all partitions into subblocks        of size (16×16), (16×8), (8×16) and (8×8), and subpartitions        into subblocks of size (8×8), (8×4), (4×8), and (4×4) for        forward/backward and blended directions when MBAFF is OFF.    -   3. Computation of direct mode and/or skip mode cost for MBAFF ON        and OFF.    -   4. Mode decision is based on all the above partitions for MBAFF        ON and OFF. The chroma reconstruction for the corresponding        partitions is implicitly performed when the luma motion        reconstruction is invoked.    -   5. Motion refinement and compensation include quarter pixel        accurate final motion vectors using the 6 tap filter algorithms        of the H.264 standard.        VC-1:    -   1. Motion search and refinement for both 16×16 and 8×8        partitions for both field and frame cases for forward, backward        and blended directions.    -   2. Mode decision is based on each of the partitions above. This        involves the luma and corresponding chroma reconstruction.    -   3. Motion refinement and compensation include bilinear half        pixel accurate final motion vectors of the VC-1 standard.        MPEG-4:    -   1. Motion search and refinement for both 16×16 and 8×8        partitions for both field and frame cases for forward, backward        and blended directions.    -   2. Mode decision is based on all of the partitions above.        Reconstruction involves the luma only.    -   3. Motion refinement and compensation include bilinear half        pixel accurate MVs of the VC-1 standard.

Further, motion refinement engine 175 can operate in two basic modes ofoperation (1) where the operations of motion refinement module 206 aretriggered by and/or directed by software/firmware algorithms included inmemory module 202 and executed by processing module 200; and (2) whereoperations of motion refinement module 206 are triggered by the motionsearch module 204, with little or no software/firmware intervention. Thefirst mode operates in accordance with one or more standards, possiblymodified as described herein. The second mode of operation can bedynamically controlled and executed more quickly, in an automatedfashion and without a loss of quality.

Shared memory 205 can be individually, independently andcontemporaneously accessed by motion search module 204 and motionrefinement module 206 to facilitate either the first or second mode ofoperation. In particular, shared memory 205 includes a portion ofmemory, such as a cost table that stores results (such as motion vectorsand costs) that result from the computations performed by motion searchmodule 204. This cost table can include a plurality of fixed locationsin shared memory where these computations are stored for later retrievalby motion refinement module 206, particularly for use in the second modeof operation. In addition, to the cost table, the shared memory 205 canalso store additional information, such as a hint table, that tells themotion refinement module 206 and the firmware of the decisions it makesfor use in either mode, again based on the computations performed bymotion search module 204. Examples include: identifying which partitionsare good, others that are not as good and/or can be discarded;identifying either frame mode or field mode as being better and by howmuch; and identifying which direction, amongst forward, backward andblended is good and by how much, etc.

The motion search module may terminate its computations early based onthe results it obtains. In any case, motion search can trigger thebeginning of motion refinement directly by a trigger signal sent fromthe motion search module 204 to the motion refinement module 206. Motionrefinement module 206 can, based on the data stored in the hint tableand/or the cost table, have the option to refine only particularpartitions, a particular mode (frame or field), and/or a particulardirection (forward, backward or blended) that either the motion searchmodule 204 or the motion refinement module 206 determines to be goodbased on a cost threshold or other performance criteria. In thealternative, the motion refinement module can proceed directly based onsoftware/firmware algorithms in a more uniform approach. In thisfashion, motion refinement engine 175 can dynamically and selectivelyoperate so as to complete the motion search and motion refinement,pipelined and in parallel, such that the refinement is performed forselected partitions, all the subblocks for a single partition, group ofpartitions or an entire MB/MB pair on both a frame and field basis, ononly frame or field mode basis, and for forward, backward and blendeddirections of for only a particular direction, based on the computationsperformed by the motion search module 204.

In operation, motion search module 204 contemporaneously generates amotion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a pluralityof partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of MB/MB pairs. Motionrefinement module 206, when enabled, contemporaneously generates arefined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the pluralityof partitionings of the MB/MB pairs of the plurality of macroblocks,based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality ofsubblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. Modedecision module selects a selected partitioning of the plurality ofpartitionings, based on costs associated with the refined motion vectorfor each of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality ofpartitionings, of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, anddetermines a final motion vector for each of the plurality of subblockscorresponding to the selected partitioning of the macroblock of theplurality of macroblocks. Reconstruction module 214 generates residualpixel values, for chroma and/or luma, corresponding to a final motionvector for the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the pluralityof macroblocks.

Further, the motion search module 204 and the motion refinement module206 can operate in a plurality of other selected modes including a modecorresponding to a first compression standard, a mode corresponding to asecond compression standard and/or a mode corresponding to a thirdcompression standard, etc. and wherein the plurality of partitioningscan be based on the selected mode. For instance, in one mode, the motionsearch module 204 and the motion refinement module 206 are capable ofoperating with macroblock adaptive frame and field (MBAFF) enabled whena MBAFF signal is asserted and with MBAFF disabled when the MBAFF enablesignal is deasserted, and wherein the plurality of partitionings arebased on the MBAFF enable signal. In an embodiment, when the MBAFFsignal is asserted, the plurality of partitionings of the macroblockpartition the macroblock into subblocks having a first minimum dimensionof sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, 16 pixels by 8 pixels, 8 pixels by 16pixels, and 8 pixels by 8 pixels—having a minimum dimension of 8 pixels.Further, when the MBAFF signal is deasserted, the plurality ofpartitionings of the macroblock partition the macroblock into subblockshaving a second minimum dimension of sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, 16pixels by 8 pixels, 8 pixels by 16 pixels, 8 pixels by 8 pixels, 4pixelsby 8 pixels, 8 pixels by 4 pixels, and 4 pixels by 4 pixels—having aminimum dimension of 4 pixels. In other modes of operation, theplurality of partitionings of the macroblock partition the macroblockinto subblocks of sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, and 8 pixels by 8pixels. While particular macroblock dimensions are described above,other dimensions are likewise possible with the broader scope of thepresent invention.

In addition, to the partitionings of the MB/MB pairs being based on theparticular compression standard employed, motion search module 204 cangenerate a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks fora plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality ofmacroblocks and generate a selected group of the plurality ofpartitionings based on a group selection signal. Further, motionrefinement module 206 can generate the refined motion vector for theplurality of subblocks for the selected group of the plurality ofpartitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, basedon the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality ofsubblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. In thisembodiment, the group selection signal can be used by the motion searchmodule 204 to selectively apply one or more thresholds to narrow downthe number of partitions considered by motion refinement module 206 inorder to speed up the algorithm.

For example, when the group selection signal has a first value, themotion search module 204 determines the selected group of the pluralityof partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the costsassociated with the motion search motion vector for each of theplurality of subblocks with a first threshold, and assigning theselected group to be a partitioning with the accumulated cost thatcompares favorably to the first threshold. In this mode, if a particularpartitioning is found that generates a very good cost, the motion searchmodule 204 can terminate early for the particular macroblock and motionrefinement module 206 can operate, not on the entire set ofpartitionings, but on the particular partitioning that generates a costthat compares favorably to the first threshold.

Further, when the group selection signal has a second value, the motionsearch module 204 determines the selected group of the plurality ofpartitionings by comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the costsassociated with the motion search motion vector for each of theplurality of subblocks and assigning the selected group to be theselected partitioning with the most favorable accumulated cost. Again,motion refinement module 206 can operate, not on the entire set ofpartitionings, but on the particular partitioning that generates themost favorable cost from the motion search.

In addition, when the group selection signal has a third value, themotion search module 204 determines the selected group of the pluralityof partitionings by comparing, for the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, the accumulated the costsassociated with the motion search motion vector for each of theplurality of subblocks with a second threshold, and assigning theselected group to be each of partitionings of the plurality ofpartitionings with accumulated cost that compares favorably to thesecond threshold. In this mode, motion refinement module 206 canoperate, not on the entire set of partitionings, but only on thosepartitionings that generate a cost that compares favorably to the secondthreshold.

As discussed above, the motion search module 204 and motion refinementmodule 206 can be pipelined and operate to contemporaneously generatethe motion search motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for aplurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality ofmacroblocks, in parallel. In addition, shared memory 205 can be closelycoupled to both motion search module 204 and motion refinement module206 to efficiently store the results for selected group of partitioningsfrom the motion search module 204 for use by the motion refinementmodule 206. In particular, motion search module 204 stores the selectedgroup of partitionings and the corresponding motion search motionvectors in the shared memory and other results in the cost and hinttables. Motion refinement module 206 retrieves the selected group ofpartitionings and the corresponding motion search motion vectors fromthe shared memory. In a particular embodiment, the motion search module204 can generate a trigger signal in response to the storage of theselected group of partitionings of the macroblock and the correspondingmotion search motion vectors and/or other results in the shared memory,and the motion refinement module 206 can commence the retrieval of theselected group of partitionings and the corresponding motion searchmotion vectors and/or other results from the shared memory in responseto the trigger signal.

As discussed above, the motion refinement for a particular macroblockcan be turned off by selectively disabling the motion refinement modulefor a particular application, compression standard, or for a particularmacroblock, such as when, in a skip mode where the cost associated withthe stationary motion vector compares favorably to a skip mode costthreshold or if the total cost associated with a particular partitioningcompares favorably to a skip refinement cost threshold, wherein theMotion search motion vector can be used in place of the refined motionvector. In yet another optional feature, the motion search module 204generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks fora plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality ofmacroblocks based one or several costs calculations such as on a sum ofaccumulated differences (SAD) cost, as previously discussed. However,motion refinement module 206, when enabled, generates a refined motionvector for the plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitioningsof the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motionsearch motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks based on a sum of accumulatedtransform differences (SATD) cost. In this case, the mode decisionmodule 212 must operate on either SAD costs from the motion searchmodule 204 or based on SATD costs from the motion refinement module 206.

In particular, mode decision module 212 is coupled to the motionrefinement module 206 and the motion search module 204. When the motionrefinement module 206 is enabled for the macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks, the mode decision module 212 selects a selectedpartitioning of the plurality of partitionings, based on SATD costsassociated with the refined motion vector for each of the plurality ofsubblocks of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of theplurality of macroblocks. In addition, when the motion refinement module206 is disabled for the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, modedecision module 212 selects a selected partitioning of the plurality ofpartitionings, based on SAD costs associated with the motion searchmotion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality ofpartitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, andthat determines a final motion vector for each of the plurality ofsubblocks corresponding to the selected partitioning of the macroblockof the plurality of macroblocks.

Since the motion refinement engine 175 can operate in both a frame orfield mode, mode decision module 212 selects one of a frame mode and afield mode for the macroblock, based on SATD costs associated with therefined motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of theplurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks, or based on SAD costs associated with the motion searchmotion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality ofpartitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the motion refinement engine175 is designed to work through a command FIFO located in the sharedmemory 205. The functional flexibilities of the engine are made possiblewith a highly flexible design of the command FIFO. The command FIFO hasfour 32-bit registers, of which one of them is the trigger for themotion refinement engine 175. It could be programmed so as to completethe motion refinement/compensation for a single partition, group ofpartitions or an entire MB/MB pair, with or without MBAFF, for forward,backward and blended directions with equal ease. It should be noted thatseveral bits are reserved to support future features of the presentinvention.

In a particular embodiment, the structure of the command FIFO is assummarized in the table below.

Bit Field Name Position Description TASK 1:0 0 = Search/refine 1 =Direct 2 = Motion Compensation/Reconstruction 3 = Decode DIRECTION 4:2Bit 0: FWD Bit 1: BWD Bit 2: Blended WRITE_COST  5 0 = Don't write outCost 1 = Write out Cost PARTITIONS 51:6  Which partitions to turn on andoff. This is interpreted in accordance with a MBAFF Flag TAG 58:52 Totag the Index FIFO entry-7 bits DONE 59 Generate Interrupt when finishedthis entry PRED_DIFF_INDEX 63:60 Which Predicted and Difference Index towrite to CURR_Y_MB_INDEX 67:64 Which Current Y MB Index to read fromCURR_C_MB_INDEX 71:68 Which Current C MB Index to read from FWD_INDEX75:72 FWD Command Table Index to parse through BWD_INDEX 79:76 BWDCommand Table Index to parse through BLEND_INDEX 83:80 BLEND CommandTable Index to write to Reserved 84 THRESHOLD_ENABLE 85 PerformRefinement only for the partitions indicated by the threshold table.BEST_MB_PARTITION 86 Use only the Best Macroblock partition. This willignore the PARTITIONS field in this index FIFO entry Reserved 87DIRECT_TOP_FRM_FLD_SEL 89:88 00: None, 01: Frame, 10: Field, 11: BothDIRECT_BOT_FRM_FLD_SEL 91:90 00: None, 01: Frame, 10: Field, 11: BothWRITE_PRED_PIXELS 93:92 0 = Don't write out Predicted Pixels 1 = Writeout Top MB Predicted Pixels 2 = Write out Bottom MB Predicted Pixels 3 =Write out both Top and Bottom MB Predicted Pixels (turned on for thelast entry of motion compensation) WRITE_DIFF_PIXELS 95:94 0 = Don'tWrite out Difference Pixels 1 = Write out Top MB Difference Pixels 2 =Write out Bottom MB Difference Pixels 3 = Write out both Top and BottomMB Predicted Pixels (Note: In Motion Compensation Mode, this will writeout the Motion Compensation Pixels and will be turned on for the lastentry of motion compensation) CURR_MB_X 102:96  Current X coordinate ofMacroblock Reserved 103  CURR_MB_Y 110:104 Current Y coordinate ofMacroblock Reserved 111  LAMBDA 118:112 Portion of weighted for costReserved 121:119 BWD_REF_INDEX 124:122 Backward Reference IndexFWD_REF_INDEX 127:125 Forward Reference Index

In addition to the Command FIFO, there are also some slice levelregisters in the shared memory that the motion refinement engine 175uses. These include common video information like codec used, picturewidth, picture height, slice type, MBAFF Flag, SATD/SAD flag and thelike. By appropriately programming the above bits, the followingflexibilities/scenarios could be addressed:

-   -   1. The task bits define the operation to be performed by the        motion refinement engine 175. By appropriately combining this        with the codec information in the registers, the motion        refinement engine 175 can perform any of the above tasks for all        the codecs as listed earlier.    -   2. The direction bits refer to the reference picture that needs        to be used and are particularly useful in coding B Slices. Any        combination of these 3 bits could be set for any of the tasks.        By enabling all these 3 bits for refinement, the motion        refinement engine 175 can complete motion refinement for the        entire MB in all three directions in one call. However, the        motion refinement engine 175 can also could select any        particular direction and perform refinement only for that (as        might be required in P slices). The command FIFO, thus offers        the flexibility to address both cases of a single,        all-directions call or multiple one-direction calls.    -   3. The partitions bits are very flexible in their design as they        holistically cater to motion refinement and reconstruction for        all partitions and sub partitions. By effectively combining        these bits with the direction bits, the motion refinement engine        175 can achieve both the extremes i.e. perform refinement for        all partitions for all the directions in one shot or perform        refinement/compensation for a select set of partitions in a        particular direction. The partition bits are also dynamically        interpreted differently by the motion refinement engine 175        engine based on the MBAFF ON flag in the registers. Thus, using        an optimized, limited set of bits, the motion refinement engine        175 can address an exhaustive scenario of partition        combinations. The structure of the partition bits for each of        these modes is summarized in the tables that follow for frame        (FRM), field (FLD) and direct mode (DIRECT) results.

MBAFF ON: Macroblock Partition Frm/Fld Bit TOP MB 16 × 16 FRM 0 FLD 1DIRECT 2 16 × 8 Top Partition FRM 3 FLD 4 16 × 8 Bottom Partition FRM 5FLD 6 8 × 16 Left Partition FRM 7 FLD 8 8 × 16 Right Partition FRM 9 FLD10 8 × 8 Top Left Partition FRM 11 FLD 12 DIRECT 13 8 × 8 Top RightPartition FRM 14 FLD 15 DIRECT 16 8 × 8 Bottom Left Partition FRM 17 FLD18 DIRECT 19 8 × 8 Bottom Right Partition FRM 20 FLD 21 DIRECT 22 BOT MB16 × 16 FRM 23 FLD 24 DIRECT 25 16 × 8 Top Partition FRM 26 FLD 27 16 ×8 Bottom Partition FRM 28 FLD 29 8 × 16 Left Partition FRM 30 FLD 31 8 ×16 Right Partition FRM 32 FLD 33 8 × 8 Top Left Partition FRM 34 FLD 35DIRECT 36 8 × 8 Top Right Partition FRM 37 FLD 38 DIRECT 39 8 × 8 BottomLeft Partition FRM 40 FLD 41 DIRECT 42 8 × 8 Bottom Right Partition FRM43 FLD 44 DIRECT 45

MBAFF OFF: Partition Bit FRAME 16 × 16 Enable 0 DIRECT 1 16 × 8 TopPartition 2 16 × 8 Bottom Partition 3 8 × 16 Left Partition 4 8 × 16Right Partition 5 8 × 8 Top Left Partition 8 × 8 6 8 × 4 7 4 × 8 8 4 × 49 DIRECT 10 8 × 8 Top Right Partition 8 × 8 11 8 × 4 12 4 × 8 13 4 × 414 DIRECT 15 8 × 8 Bottom Left 8 × 8 16 Partition 8 × 4 17 4 × 8 18 4 ×4 19 DIRECT 20 8 × 8 Bottom Right 8 × 8 21 Partition 8 × 4 22 4 × 8 23 4× 4 24 DIRECT 25 Reserved 45:26

The command FIFO also has early termination strategies, which could beefficiently used to speed up the motion refinement intelligently. Thesecould be used directly in conjunction with the motion search module 204or with the intervention of the processor 200 to suit the algorithmicneeds. These are as follows:

-   -   a. BEST MB PARTITION: This is the super fast mode, which chooses        only the best mode as indicated by the motion search to perform        refinement on. Motion refinement only looks at the particular        partition that are in the in the threshold table that are set        based on the motion search results for the BEST partition only        one frame or field.    -   b. THRESHOLD ENABLE: This flag is used to enable the usage of        the threshold information in a motion search MS Stats Register.        If this bit is ON, the motion refinement engine 175 performs        refinement ONLY for the modes specified in the threshold portion        of the MS Stats Register. This bit works as follows. For each of        the Top/Bottom, Frame/Field MBs, do the following:        -   If any of the partition bits (any of 16×16, 16×8, 8×16, 8×8)            are enabled in the threshold portion of the MS Stats            Register (this means that thresholds have been met for those            partitions), do all those enabled partitions irrespective of            the PARTITION bits in the Command FIFO. For the MBAFF OFF            case, when the 8×8 bit is set, refinement is done ONLY for            the best sub partition as specified in a hint table for each            of the 8×8 partitions. Motion refinement only looks at            particular partitions that are in the threshold table that            are set based on the motion search results for those            partitions that meet the threshold.

FIG. 10 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the features andfunctions described in association with FIGS. 1-9. In step 300, one ormore motion search motion vectors are generated for each macroblock of aplurality of macroblocks by contemporaneously evaluating a top framemacroblock and bottom frame macroblock from a frame of the video inputsignal and a top field macroblock and a bottom field macroblock fromcorresponding fields of the video input signal. In step 302, whenenabled the step is enabled, a refined motion vector is generated foreach macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the one ormore motion search motion vectors.

In an embodiment of the present invention, step 300 calculates a costassociated with the motion search motion vector based on an estimatedpredicted motion vector that is based exclusively on neighboringmacroblocks from at least one prior row of the video input signal. Theat least one prior row can include a row above a row of the video inputsignal that contains the top frame macroblock. In addition, step 300 canevaluates a plurality of partitions of each macroblock of the pluralityof macroblocks into a plurality of subblocks and wherein the estimatedpredicted motion vector used to calculate a cost for one of theplurality of subblocks is used for each of the remaining plurality ofsubblocks. Further step 300 can compare the cost associated with theplurality of partitions of each macroblock to a cost threshold and thatterminates the evaluation if the cost associated with a particularpartition of the plurality of partitions compares favorably to the costthreshold.

In an embodiment of the present invention, step 300 calculates a costassociated a plurality of lines, and generates a cost associated withthe top frame macroblock based on a cost accumulated for a plurality oftop lines of the plurality of lines, generates a cost associated withthe bottom frame macroblock based on a cost accumulated for a pluralityof bottom lines of the plurality of lines, generates a cost associatedwith the top field macroblock based on a cost accumulated for aplurality of first-parity lines of the plurality of lines, and generatesa cost associated with the bottom field macroblock based on a costaccumulated for a plurality of second-parity lines of the plurality oflines. In addition, step 300 can generate a field decision based onaccumulated differences between the bottom field macroblock and a bottomfield macroblock reference, the bottom field macroblock and a top fieldmacroblock reference, the top field macroblock and the bottom fieldmacroblock reference, and the top field macroblock and the top fieldmacroblock reference.

In an embodiment of the present invention, step 300 initiates a smallsearch in a small search region centered on a start motion vector,evaluates a cost associated with a plurality of candidate motion searchmotion vectors within the small search region, compares the costassociated with each with a small search cost threshold and terminatesthe evaluation when the cost associated with one of the plurality ofcandidate motion search motion vectors within the small search regioncompares favorably to the small search cost threshold. In addition, step300 can generate the motion search vector compares a cost associatedwith a stationary motion vector to a stationary cost threshold and when,for a particular one of the plurality of macroblocks, the costassociated the stationary motion vector compares favorably to thestationary cost threshold, the step of generating the motion searchmodule disables the step of generating the refined motion vector for theparticular one of the plurality of macroblocks, and that assigns thestationary motion vector as the refined motion vector. Further step 300can initiate a large search in a large search region, larger than thesmall search region, centered on the start motion vector, evaluates acost associated with a plurality of candidate motion search motionvectors within the large search region, compares the cost associatedwith each with a large search cost threshold and terminates theevaluation when the cost associated with one of the plurality ofcandidate motion search motion vectors within the large search regioncompares favorably to the large search cost threshold.

FIG. 11 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the features andfunctions described in association with FIGS. 1-10. In step 400, one ormore motion search motion vectors are generated for each macroblock of aplurality of macroblocks. In step 402, a refined motion vector isgenerated for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based onthe one or more motion search motion vectors. In step 404, a direct modemotion vector is generated for each macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks, based on a plurality of macroblocks that neighbor themacroblock of pixels. In step 406, a best intra prediction mode isgenerated for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.

In step 408, a final motion vector is determined for each macroblock ofthe plurality of macroblocks based on costs associated with the refinedmotion vector, the direct mode motion vector, and the best intraprediction mode. In step 410, residual pixel values are generatedcorresponding to the final motion vector for each macroblock of theplurality of macroblocks. In step 412, neighbor data is generated andstored for at least one macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks forretrieval by at least one of the steps of generating a motion searchmotion vector, generating a refined motion vector, generating a directmode motion vector, and generating a best intra prediction mode, whenoperating on at least one neighboring macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks.

In an embodiment of the present invention, steps 400, 402, 404 and/or406 operate in a macroblock adaptive frame and field mode and analyzeeach macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks based on macroblock pairsthat include a top frame macroblock and bottom frame macroblock from aframe of the video input signal and a top field macroblock and a bottomfield macroblock from a corresponding field of the video input signal.The neighbor data can include frame below neighbor data for retrieval bya neighboring macroblock in a row below the at least one macroblock whenprocessing in frame mode and field below neighbor data for retrieval bythe neighboring macroblock in a row below the at least one macroblockwhen processing in field mode. In addition, the neighbor data caninclude frame right neighbor data for retrieval by a neighboringmacroblock to the right of the at least one macroblock when processingin frame mode and field right neighbor data for retrieval by theneighboring macroblock to the right of the at least one macroblock whenprocessing in field mode.

In an embodiment, steps 400 and/or 402 generate at least one predictedmotion vector for each macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks usingretrieved neighbor data. Further, step 404 can generate at least onedirect mode motion vector for each macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks using retrieved neighbor data. Also, step 406 can generatethe best intra prediction mode for each macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks using retrieved neighbor data.

FIG. 12 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the features andfunctions described in association with FIGS. 1-11. In step 600, amotion search motion vector is contemporaneously generated for aplurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblockof a plurality of macroblocks. In step 602, a refined motion vector iscontemporaneously generated for the plurality of subblocks for theplurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of theplurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks. In step 604, a selected partitioning of the plurality ofpartitionings, is selected based on costs associated with the refinedmotion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality ofpartitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. In step606, a final motion vector is determined for each of the plurality ofsubblocks corresponding to the selected partitioning of the macroblockof the plurality of macroblocks. In step 608, residual pixel values aregenerated corresponding to a final motion vector for the plurality ofsubblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.

In an embodiment of the present invention steps 600 and 602 can operatein a plurality of selected modes including a first mode corresponding toa first compression standard, a second mode corresponding to a secondcompression standard and a third mode corresponding to a thirdcompression standard. For example, in the first mode, steps 600 and 602are capable of operating with macroblock adaptive frame and fieldenabled when a MBAFF signal is asserted and with MBAFF disabled when theMBAFF enable signal is deasserted, and wherein the plurality ofpartitionings are based on the MBAFF enable signal. The firstcompression standard can includes an H.264 standard, and when the MBAFFsignal is asserted, the plurality of partitionings of the macroblockpartition the macroblock into subblocks having a first minimumdimension. For example, when the MBAFF signal is asserted, the pluralityof partitionings of the macroblock partition the macroblock intosubblocks of sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, 16 pixels by 8 pixels, 8pixels by 16 pixels, and 8 pixels by 8 pixels. In addition, when theMBAFF signal is deasserted, the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock partition the macroblock into subblocks having a secondminimum dimension that is less than the first minimum dimension. Forexample, when the MBAFF signal is deasserted, the plurality ofpartitionings of the macroblock partition the macroblock into subblocksof sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, 16 pixels by 8 pixels, 8 pixels by 16pixels, 8 pixels by 8 pixels, 4pixels by 8 pixels, 8 pixels by 4 pixels,and 4 pixels by 4 pixels.

Further, in the second mode, such as when the second compressionstandard includes a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standard, theplurality of partitionings of the macroblock partition the macroblockinto subblocks of sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels, and 8 pixels by 8pixels. Also, in the third mode, such as when the third compressionstandard includes a Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers(SMPTE) standard, the plurality of partitionings of the macroblockpartition the macroblock into subblocks of sizes 16 pixels by 16 pixels,and 8 pixels by 8 pixels.

FIG. 13 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the features andfunctions described in association with FIGS. 1-12. In step 700 a motionsearch motion vector is generated for a plurality of subblocks for aplurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality ofmacroblocks. In step 704, a selected group of the plurality ofpartitionings is generated, based on a group selection signal. In step716, a refined motion vector is generated for the plurality of subblocksfor the selected group of the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion searchmotion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblockof the plurality of macroblocks.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the group selectionsignal has a first value, step 704 determines the selected group of theplurality of partitionings by comparing, for the plurality ofpartitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, theaccumulated the costs associated with the motion search motion vectorfor each of the plurality of subblocks with a first threshold, andassigning the selected group to be a partitioning with the accumulatedcost that compares favorably to the first threshold. When the groupselection signal has a second value, step 704 determines the selectedgroup of the plurality of partitionings by comparing, for the pluralityof partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, theaccumulated the costs associated with the motion search motion vectorfor each of the plurality of subblocks, and assigning the selected groupto be a selected partitioning with the most favorable accumulated cost.When the group selection signal has a third value, step 704 determinesthe selected group of the plurality of partitionings by comparing, forthe plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks, the accumulated the costs associated with the motion searchmotion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks with a secondthreshold, and assigning the selected group to be each of partitioningsof the plurality of partitionings with accumulated cost that comparesfavorably to the second threshold.

Optionally, step 700 contemporaneously generates the motion searchmotion vector for the plurality of subblocks for a plurality ofpartitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks and step 716contemporaneously generates the refined motion vector for the pluralityof subblocks for the selected group of the plurality of partitionings ofthe macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.

FIG. 14 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. A method is presented foruse in conjunction with one or more of the features and functionsdescribed in association with FIGS. 1-12, and in particular thatincludes one or more elements of the method of FIG. 13 that are referredto by common reference numerals. In addition, this method includes step708 of storing the selected group of the plurality of partitionings andthe corresponding motion search motion vectors in a shared memory. Also,in step 712 the selected group of the plurality of partitionings and thecorresponding motion search motion vectors are retrieved from the sharedmemory.

FIG. 15 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. A method is presented foruse in conjunction with one or more of the features and functionsdescribed in association with FIGS. 1-12 and includes elements of themethod of FIGS. 13 and 14 that are referred to by common referencenumerals. In addition, the method includes step 710 that generates atrigger signal in response to the storage of the selected group ofpartitionings of the macroblock and the corresponding motion searchmotion vectors in the shared memory. In addition, step 712′ includesretrieving the selected group of partitionings and the correspondingmotion search motion vectors from the shared memory is performed inresponse to the trigger signal.

FIG. 16 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. A method is presented foruse in conjunction with one or more of the features and functionsdescribed in association with FIGS. 1-15. In particular, a method ispresented that can be used as an alternative to the method of claim 13that includes common elements referred to by common reference numerals.In addition, the method includes a step 704′ of generating a selectedgroup of the plurality of partitionings.

FIG. 17 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more of the features andfunctions described in association with FIGS. 1-16. In step 800, amotion search motion vector is generated for a plurality of subblocksfor a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality ofmacroblocks based on a sum of accumulated differences (SAD) cost. Instep 802, the method determines if refinement is enabled. If so, themethod proceeds to step 804 and generates a refined motion vector forthe plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion searchmotion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblockof the plurality of macroblocks and based on a sum of accumulatedtransform differences (SATD) cost. In step 806, a selected partitioningof the plurality of partitionings is selected, based on SATD costsassociated with the refined motion vector for each of the plurality ofsubblocks of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of theplurality of macroblocks, when the step of generating a refined motionvector is enabled for the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.

If refinement is disabled, the method instead proceeds to step 808 wherea selected partitioning of the plurality of partitionings is selected,based on SAD costs associated with the motion search motion vector foreach of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings ofthe macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. In either case themethod proceeds to step 810 where a final motion vector is determinedfor each of the plurality of subblocks corresponding to the selectedpartitioning of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. In step812, residual pixel values are generated corresponding to a final motionvector for the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the pluralityof macroblocks.

In an embodiment of the present invention, refinement is selectivelydisabled based on a particular application, based on the particularcompression standard, and/or based on a comparison of a total costassociated with at least one of the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock to a skip refinement cost threshold. It should be noted thatrefinement can be disabled on a macroblock by macroblock basis.

In addition, the method can operate in a plurality of selected modesincluding a first mode corresponding to a first compression standard, asecond mode corresponding to a second compression standard and a thirdmode corresponding to a third compression standard, such as an H.264standard, a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standard, a Society ofMotion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standard or otherstandard.

FIG. 18 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with the method described inassociation with FIGS. 17. In step 820, one of a frame mode and a fieldmode is selected for the macroblock, based on SATD costs associated withthe refined motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of theplurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks, when the step of generating a refined motion vector isenabled for the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.

FIG. 19 presents a flowchart representation of a method in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with the method described inassociation with FIGS. 17 and 18. In step 830, one of the frame mode andthe field mode is selected for the macroblock, based on SAD costsassociated with the motion search motion vector for each of theplurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, when the step of generatinga refined motion vector is disabled for the macroblock of the pluralityof macroblocks.

In preferred embodiments, the various circuit components are implementedusing 0.35 micron or smaller CMOS technology. Provided however thatother circuit technologies, both integrated or non-integrated, may beused within the broad scope of the present invention.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of thepresent invention have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are possible that are notlimited by the particular examples disclosed herein are expresslyincorporated in within the scope of the present invention.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the term“substantially” or “approximately”, as may be used herein, provides anindustry-accepted tolerance to its corresponding term and/or relativitybetween items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less thanone percent to twenty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to,component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperaturevariations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativitybetween items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitudedifferences. As one of ordinary skill in the art will furtherappreciate, the term “coupled”, as may be used herein, includes directcoupling and indirect coupling via another component, element, circuit,or module where, for indirect coupling, the intervening component,element, circuit, or module does not modify the information of a signalbut may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate, inferred coupling(i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference)includes direct and indirect coupling between two elements in the samemanner as “coupled”. As one of ordinary skill in the art will furtherappreciate, the term “compares favorably”, as may be used herein,indicates that a comparison between two or more elements, items,signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when thedesired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude thansignal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude ofsignal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude ofsignal 2 is less than that of signal 1.

As the term module is used in the description of the various embodimentsof the present invention, a module includes a functional block that isimplemented in hardware, software, and/or firmware that performs one ormodule functions such as the processing of an input signal to produce anoutput signal. As used herein, a module may contain submodules thatthemselves are modules.

Thus, there has been described herein an apparatus and method, as wellas several embodiments including a preferred embodiment, forimplementing a video encoder and motion compensation module and motionrefinement engine for use therewith. Various embodiments of the presentinvention herein-described have features that distinguish the presentinvention from the prior art.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosedinvention may be modified in numerous ways and may assume manyembodiments other than the preferred forms specifically set out anddescribed above. Accordingly, it is intended by the appended claims tocover all modifications of the invention which fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

1. A motion compensation module for use in a video encoder for encodinga video input signal that includes a sequence of images that aresegmented into a plurality of macroblocks, the motion compensationmodule comprising: at least one processing device that includes: amotion search module, that generates a motion search motion vector for aplurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblockof a plurality of macroblocks based on a first form costs; a motionrefinement module, coupled to the motion search module, that, whenenabled, generates a refined motion vector for the plurality ofsubblocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of theplurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector foreach of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks and based on a second form costs; a mode decision module,coupled to the motion refinement module and the motion search module,that, when the motion refinement module is enabled for the macroblock ofthe plurality of macroblocks, selects a selected partitioning of theplurality of partitionings, based on second form costs associated withthe refined motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of theplurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks, when the motion refinement module is disabled for themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, selects a selectedpartitioning of the plurality of partitionings, based on first formcosts associated with the motion search motion vector for each of theplurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, and that determines a finalmotion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks corresponding tothe selected partitioning of the macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks; and a reconstruction module, coupled to the mode decisionmodule, that generates residual pixel values corresponding to a finalmotion vector for the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of theplurality of macroblocks; wherein the motion search module and themotion refinement module can operate in a plurality of selected modescorresponding to a plurality of compression standards and wherein themotion refinement module is selectively disabled based on the particularcompression standard.
 2. The motion compensation module of claim 1wherein the motion refinement module is selectively disabled based on aparticular application.
 3. The motion compensation module of claim 1wherein the motion refinement module is selectively disabled for themacroblock.
 4. The motion compensation module of claim 1 wherein themotion refinement module is selectively disabled for the macroblockbased on a comparison of a total cost associated with at least one ofthe plurality of partitionings of the macroblock to a skip refinementcost threshold.
 5. The motion compensation module of claim 1 wherein thefirst form costs are sum of accumulated differences (SAD) costs, thesecond form costs are sum of accumulated transform differences (SATD)costs and wherein the mode decision module, when the motion refinementmodule is enabled for the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks,selects one of a frame mode and a field mode for the macroblock, basedon SATD costs associated with the refined motion vector for each of theplurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, and when the motionrefinement module is disabled for the macroblock of the plurality ofmacroblocks, selects one of the frame mode and the field mode for themacroblock, based on SAD costs associated with the motion search motionvector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality ofpartitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.
 6. Themotion compensation module of claim 1 wherein the motion search moduleand the motion refinement module can operate in a plurality of selectedmodes including a first mode corresponding to a first compressionstandard, a second mode corresponding to a second compression standardand a third mode corresponding to a third compression standard.
 7. Themotion compensation module of claim 6 wherein the first compressionstandard includes an H.264 standard.
 8. The motion compensation moduleof claim 6 wherein the second compression standard includes a MotionPicture Experts Group (MPEG) standard.
 9. The motion compensation moduleof claim 6 wherein the third compression standard includes a Society ofMotion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standard.
 10. A methodfor use in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal thatincludes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality ofmacroblocks, the method comprising; generating a motion search motionvector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings ofa macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks based on a sum of accumulateddifferences (SAD) cost; generating, when enabled, a refined motionvector for the plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitioningsof the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motionsearch motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks and based on a sum ofaccumulated transform differences (SATD) cost; selecting a selectedpartitioning of the plurality of partitionings, based on SATD costsassociated with the refined motion vector for each of the plurality ofsubblocks of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of theplurality of macroblocks, when the step of generating a refined motionvector is enabled for the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks;selecting a selected partitioning of the plurality of partitionings,based on SAD costs associated with the motion search motion vector foreach of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings ofthe macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, when the step ofgenerating a refined motion vector is disabled for the macroblock of theplurality of macroblocks; determining a final motion vector for each ofthe plurality of subblocks corresponding to the selected partitioning ofthe macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks; and generating residualpixel values corresponding to a final motion vector for the plurality ofsubblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks; wherein themethod can operate in a plurality of selected modes corresponding to aplurality of compression standards and wherein the step of generating arefined motion vector is selectively disabled based on the particularcompression standard.
 11. The motion compensation module of claim 10wherein the step of generating the refined motion vector is selectivelydisabled based on a particular application.
 12. The method of claim 10wherein the step of generating the refined motion vector is selectivelydisabled for the macroblock.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the stepof generating the refined motion vector is selectively disabled for themacroblock based on a comparison of a total cost associated, with atleast one of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock to a skiprefinement cost threshold.
 14. The method of claim 10 furthercomprising: selecting one of a frame mode and a field mode for themacroblock, based on SATD costs associated with the refined motionvector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the plurality ofpartitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, whenthe step of generating a refined motion vector is enabled for themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks; and selecting one of theframe mode and the field mode for the macroblock, based on SAD costsassociated with the motion search motion vector for each of theplurality of subblocks of the plurality of partitionings of themacroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, when the step of generatinga refined motion vector is disabled for the macroblock of the pluralityof macroblocks.
 15. The method of claim 10 wherein the method canoperate in a plurality of selected modes including a first modecorresponding to a first compression standard, a second modecorresponding to a second compression standard and a third modecorresponding to a third compression standard.
 16. The method of claim15 wherein the first compression standard includes an H.264 standard.17. The method of claim 15 wherein the second compression standardincludes a Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) standard.
 18. The methodof claim 15 wherein the third compression standard includes a Society ofMotion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standard.